[RP TownTalk] Traffic Concerns

Thu Feb 1 17:35:47 UTC 2007

I'm confused. 
If, as Rob says "This rail road crossing is identified as one of the 10 most dangerous crossings in the state of Maryland (It has a high fatal accident prediction factor, ref: http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/Content/803 ). We have been pretty lucky so far," why are the town, county, and state governments considering authorizing variances to build high density residences next to such a crossing?  Am I mistaken that this rail line has been and is a major East Coast freight carrier and is vary busy? The wonderful Mark train station is a true convenience to town residents and would no doubt be attractive to buyers or renters of  new condominiums on the tracks. But what if our "luck" runs out?  What if some of the increased number of children or elderly folks living in the new condo's get hurt when two trains are passing or stalled on the intersection? How long do you think we will have the wonderful Mark train stop? Will the town have to foot the bill for building a wall along the tracks (both sides) to protect our citizens? 
I agree something has to be done to improve the traffic problems at this crossing, but high density housing, does not seem like a good solution. But I'm sure the brilliant minds in UP and Annapolis will figure out how to justify some variances. First they will do a study or two, and then choose whatever is profitable. Perhaps Jamal can buy the useless train station and use it for the attendant to the toll gate at the crossing. Think of the profits of charging condo residents for getting to their cars in the Town Center Parking lot. And the town can put in parking meters to skim a few bucks from the train watchers  who frequent the area. 
Just a little rant. No solutions until the Town Center is occupied.
Gerald King
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rob Oppenheim 
  To: TownTalk 
  Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 12:46 AM
  Subject: [RP TownTalk] Traffic Concerns

  I appreciated hearing your thoughts about traffic/pedestrian concerns at the Railroad crossing/Queensbury/Lafayette intersection, and I look forward to hearing more. If we are to connect our town center commercial areas we need this to be very pedestrian friendly - and currently, it is not (at least not when crossing Lafayette or Queensbury).

  This rail road crossing is identified as one of the 10 most dangerous crossings in the state of Maryland (It has a high fatal accident prediction factor, ref: http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/Content/803 ). We have been pretty lucky so far. 

  We are working to improve the safety of this intersection. With improved gates, lighting and possibly curbs. 

  One fairly common accident there is a car will get stuck on the tracks because they turn onto the tracks thinking they are turning onto Lafayette Street.  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rob Oppenheim 
  To: TownTalk 
  Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 12:46 AM
  Subject: [RP TownTalk] Traffic Concerns

  I appreciated hearing your thoughts about traffic/pedestrian concerns at the Railroad crossing/Queensbury/Lafayette intersection, and I look forward to hearing more. If we are to connect our town center commercial areas we need this to be very pedestrian friendly - and currently, it is not (at least not when crossing Lafayette or Queensbury).

  This rail road crossing is identified as one of the 10 most dangerous crossings in the state of Maryland (It has a high fatal accident prediction factor, ref: http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/Content/803 ). We have been pretty lucky so far. 

  We are working to improve the safety of this intersection. With improved gates, lighting and possibly curbs. 

  One fairly common accident there is a car will get stuck on the tracks because they turn onto the tracks thinking they are turning onto Lafayette Street.  

  Here is a wild idea, that is not thought thru, but still might work. If we make Lafayette one-way north from Riverdale Rd to Queensbury, then we could simplify the intersection and break people of the habit of turning south (and thus reduce the incidence of turning onto the tracks). 

  As Sarah suggested we dead-end the north side of Lafayette at Queensbury and route that traffic onto Natoli. This might dramatically improve the safety of the RR crossing and make it easier to install nice pedestrian crossing lanes. Perhaps that would allow us to add some on-street parking to Lafayette too. Ideally we would dead-end Lafayette on both sides of Queensbury, but then we would have a problem with the Fire Station's "Do No Enter" at Queensbury and 48th Ave (this traffic currently must go down Riverdale Rd and up Lafayette to get across the tracks).

  The fire station has a serious problem with traffic backing up and blocking their trucks. That is why the "Do Not Enter" sign is at Queensbury and 48th Ave during morning rush hours. This needs to be extended to weekends, and I am beginning to think it maybe should be 24x7. That is, make Queensbury from Natoli Pl to 48th Ave one-way (except for emergency vehicles). This would really take our streets back from a lot of the cut-through traffic and make the area more pedestrian friendly.

  In any case, all these ideas need more flushing out.

  Unfortunately I will miss the Feb 15th safety meeting as I will be out of town. Sounds like it could be a good meeting with lots of ideas.

  As many of you know, I have been urging that we open West Beale circle (to encourage cut thru traffic to run by shops) and to consider closing East Beale circle (to make it safer for pedestrians and residents). 

  There are safety concerns for cars turning onto E-W highway from West Beale circle, but that should not be any more dangerous then what they do now - turn onto E-W highway from East Beale circle.

  Rob Oppenheim

  Ward One Councilman, Riverdale Park
  5902 Cleveland Ave
  Riverdale Park, Md 20737-1930

  Home Office: 301 779 1745

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